The anti-influencer’s influencer

He operates in a vast, fast, and noisy universe where clicks are king, speed outpaces accuracy, and attention is the coveted prize. But in the digital realm we call social media — a place that thrives on gimmicks — he has no gimmick. In a forum that demands a hook, he has no hook. In a world powered by controversy, he cultivates curiosity. As the mastermind behind “Odd Animal Specimens,” biologist Charlie Engelman BS ’14, counts 4 million followers on Tik Tok and 2.3 million followers on Instagram. He recently launched the Instagram account worldbycharlie, which showcases objects of all kinds (not just odd animal specimens), and has already attracted about 210K followers. Nearly 10 million viewers have watched a reel about bakers making cinnamon rolls at Ann Arbor’s own Zingerman’s Bakehouse. Recently named one of Time 100’s Creators of 2025, he could be considered an odd specimen himself, in social media, that is. Rather than generating content for passive consumption, he tickles the brain with questions and delivers bizarre factoids designed to motivate additional discovery. Learn more: https://michigantoday.umich.edu/2025/10/06/the-anti-influencers-influencer/